Dustyn Roberts PE, PhD

Being in the heart of the robotics capital is exciting, but leading the way as Co-CEO of HeadStrait Labs takes it to a whole new level! I am proud to see our work making waves. Check out this latest article at technical.ly featuring HeadStrait Labs!

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Please join the IMAG/MSM WG on Multiscale Modeling and Viral Pandemics and GLIMPRINT, Thursday, August 8th at 3 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) for: Bishal Paudel, University of Virginia Systems Insights into Molecular Variability and Divergent Cancer Phenotypes Understanding how heterogeneity arises in cells of similar origin within a uniform environment is a major challenge in biology. In the context of cancer, identifying the processes that lead to tumor heterogeneity is crucial, as it significantly impacts tumor progression and treatment resistance. In this presentation, I will explore the mechanistic details behind the origins and consequences of heterogeneity in cancer using experimental, bioinformatics, and computational methods. In the first example, I will discuss the emergence of a multicellular phenotype in premalignant breast cancers, resulting from a cross-inhibitory feedback between oncogenic receptors and nucleocytoplasmic transport regulators. In the second example, I will present an integrative framework that combines multimodal measurements, machine learning, and systems pharmacology to identify two clinically relevant metabolic phenotypes in acute myeloid leukemia. Overall, this presentation will demonstrate how an integrative, systems biology approach provides insights into the early stages of tumorigenesis and the clinically relevant heterogeneity in cancers. For more information see: https://systemsbioe.org/ Register at: https://lnkd.in/env6WVM #cancer, #medicine, #resiatnce, #therapy, #heterogeneity,, #mathematicalbiology, #computationalbiology, #signaling, #Spatialpatterning,  #IMAGMSM, #MathematicalBiology, #SystemsBiology,, #Dynamics, #AI, #ML, #Omics, #Leukemia, #SystemsBiology, #MachineLearning, #Biology, #Medicine, #Technology,, #AML, #MSMViral, #tumorigenesis, #IUB, #Glimprint, #Biocomplexity, #Transport, #DataAnalysis, #DataScience, #Methodologies, #Biotechnology, #UVa, #UniversityofVirginia, #BishalPaudel, #QSP, #SystemsPharmacology, #DrugDiscovery

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Maine Cat Lab update: check out our new logo! (Designed by Grace McIntosh.) This summer Bryce Cundick and I established a Tik Tok account, which now has 814 followers. Our YouTube channel is also expanding. In the intro, we highlight the fact that UMF students are allowed a feline dormmate at UMF. What exactly is the Maine Cat Lab? Our feline research subjects (approximately 1,400) live with their humans, who gamely answer our detailed questions. Bryce and I then summarize any notable findings, with (coming soon!) a small group of student research assistants. Our research assistants gain skills in data analysis and statistics while examining a personally relevant topic. Given the popularity of internet cats (it’s the most-searched topic on the internet!) we’ve started covering topics such as ploydactylism: when a cat has an extra toe or two. This was a common trait among Boston ship cats. They speculate it’s why they’re prevalent on the East Coast. Curiously, cat/human internet groups are growing by the day. We are glad to be leading a mini-community of cat science buffs and welcome new followers to our community Join us and follow us here: https://lnkd.in/eR9M_FXn Or here: https://lnkd.in/eDzWryXe

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📣 October ProductTank Pittsburgh in-person meetup, hosted at Carnegie Mellon University - Integrated Innovation Institute *** LLMS in Action: Creating Avatars for Real-World Scenarios "Is AI both overhyped and transformative? Large language models (LLMs) live at the boundary of amazing and disappointing. Sometimes they hallucinate while other times they summarize walls of text into crisp bullet points. Join us at Carnegie Mellon's Integrated Innovation Institute (iii) on Thursday, October 17, at 6pm for an interactive session of peeking behind the curtain of LLMs. This session will be led by Dr. Arthur Sugden, who teaches at the iii. We will learn about some of their weaknesses, as well as leverage their strengths for a whole new kind of “user interviews.” With clever engineering, we can draw from real opinions from real people to get new insights into users." *** Dr. Arthur Sugden is also the Founder and CEO of Allref and has spent the last 15 years at the intersection of AI and biology. Another important thing to know about Dr. Sugden is top-notch at distilling this topic for beginners, seasoned technologists, and everyone in between.

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Starting soon - check out these trailblazers in women's health for an AMA on endometriosis and menstrual health. Three of my faves, from basic research to translation to clinical care to tracking your own health journey: Ridhi Tariyal, Noémie Elhadad, and Helai Hesham

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Good WBJ article below summarizing a report on a Regional Biomanufacturing Strategy centered in Worcester and central Mass. Key to the report in my mind is how we can leverage the "collaborative ecosystem" that " includes universities and community colleges, accelerators and incubators, non-profits, and existing company partners, all committed to supporting innovation and workforce development." Looking forward to seeing those collaborations and partnerships deepen in this community! I know from the work of David Ortendahl, EdD, Catherine D. Bouthillier, and Debora Jackson, and others that WPI is likely at the forefront here! See the WBJ article here (the report is linked there too!): https://lnkd.in/gNsyX299

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❓How can you make your #STEM graduate application stand out? This weekend, nearly 500 students from 29 different countries signed up for STEM for Development's faculty panel, featuring Dr. Becky Mansfield (The Ohio State University), Ms. Amanda Mendez (Stevens Institute of Technology), and Dr. Chaowei Phil Yang (George Mason University). What did they have to say? 💡Craft a Powerful Statement of Purpose (SOP): All three panelists emphasized that the SOP is more than a formality; it is your narrative. The panelists highlighted the importance of balancing specificity and flexibility. Be clear about your research interests but open to new opportunities. Reflect deeply on past experiences and future goals to articulate a coherent, compelling story. 💡Align with Faculty Interests: Successful applications often hinge on demonstrating alignment with a program’s research focus. Panelists stressed the importance of thoroughly researching potential advisors and their current projects. “Make the connection clear,” one panelist noted, “and show genuine enthusiasm for the work they’re doing.” 💡Leverage Transferable Skills: Many students worry that their background doesn’t perfectly match their desired program. The panelists reassured attendees that transferable skills—like teamwork, project planning, and data analysis—are crucial. “Show how you’ve maximized the opportunities you had,” they advised, “even if they differ from what’s common elsewhere.” 💡Build Strong Networks: Graduate school is more than coursework—it’s about community. Panelists encouraged students to highlight their plans for engaging with support services, networking with peers and faculty, and contributing to campus life. They noted that at many institutions, holistic applications stand out because they reflect not just academic readiness but a commitment to the broader university community. 💡Navigate Differences in Research Experience: For international students, bridging the gap between local research contexts and those abroad can be challenging. The panel recommended reaching out to faculty or admissions officers to discuss these concerns directly. Tailoring your application to highlight how your unique experiences contribute to the program’s diversity and goals can make a strong impression. Interested in our next event? Stay tuned and join the SFD community at t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website: stemfordevelopment.org!

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We are excited to share that Penn State University’s Climate Consortium has awarded the Local Climate Action Program's "Building Capacity for Subnational Climate Action" to be one its Climate Solutions Accelerators. These projects are valuable investments that provide resources to research teams and burgeoning projects that may become tomorrow’s climate solutions. The Consortium's director, Dr. Erica Smithwick says, “These collaborative workshops...enhance projects and teamwork through stronger communication and improved creativity. Workshops allow attendees to exchange ideas from diverse perspectives and boost the quality of the products that emerge.” This project aims to train local government officials on how to fight climate change by measuring local emissions, developing plans to reduce them, and connecting these actions to their overall goals for serving their communities. It emphasizes fairness, collaboration, and using science to make informed decisions. We will be joined by representatives from ICLEI, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Centre Region Council of Governments, PITTSBURGH CONNECT, & others. As COP28 showed at its Local Climate Action Summit, “local leaders play [a critical role] in reducing emissions, addressing climate risk, and supercharging national efforts to move further and faster on climate progress.” To accomplish this goal in the American context, we need high-value “bootcamps” to build capacity, develop the workforce, build a collective network of action, and support the emerging sustainability market in our democratic republic. This project recognizes that reality, seeking to accelerate and expand climate action by training municipal, county, and other sub-state government actors in best practices for greenhouse gas mitigation. Grounded in ethics of love of home, fair treatment and equal involvement, and science-based assessment, we will train local government officials how to assess local greenhouse gas emissions, understand emissions at scale, effect climate action through policy, programs, partnerships, and other means, and connect them to their mandates and strategic goals for service. If you are a local or county government, school district, authority, or other NGO who would like to participate, register with the link in the comments. If you have questions, please contact me: [email protected] #actonclimate #climateaction #localgovernment #COP28 #sdg13 #sdg11 #sdg16 #sdg17 #sdg7 #parisagreement #pennsylvania https://lnkd.in/eiA5k-D3

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Episode 4 of Penn Engineering's "Innovation & Impact" podcast is all about AI in Engineering. In the episode, a panel of Penn Engineering faculty, including Cesar de la Fuente, Presidential Assistant Professor in #PennBioengineering, Psychiatry and Microbiology with a secondary appointment in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, discusses topical questions like how deep learning can help identify new drugs and how researchers are applying AI in their work. Read more and listen to the episode: https://bit.ly/3UICNoN

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Dynamic motion tracking for robotic arms is critical for autonomous robotics applications. In this project, my graduate student, John Chiodo (ME), and undergraduate students, Michaela Nanna (ME), Nicole Reagan (CS), Jack McKenna (EE), Joseph Maucieri (ME), at Fairfield University School of Engineering & Computing are developing a robotic arm program with a vision camera capable of tracking a moving object in X and Y directions, aiming to advance to the next step: object retrieval. This capability is essential in building fully autonomous robots that can perform complex tasks in dynamic environments,  like tracking moving surgical instruments, adapting to patient and surgeon motions, and maintaining precise alignment. Fairfield University #SurgicalRobotics #AutonomousRobotics #HealthcareInnovation

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🚘 🚗 We have all heard a lot about self-driving vehicles but are they safe? Researchers in #UBSEAS are making sure they are. Chunming Qiao, SUNY Distinguished Professor in computer science and engineering is leading the #UBuffalo effort to determine vulnerabilities in the #ArtificialIntelligence used for decision-making in self-driving vehicles. https://lnkd.in/exYvdkAn

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Welcome to GreenDex, a Maine tech startup founded by three University of Maine Computer Science students who want to revolutionize the way you shop.   Our mission is to air the "dirty laundry" of companies that have been profiteering from corporate malpractice for too long.   Picture this: You like to treat yourself to a chocolate bar at the end of the week. There are two brands next to each other on the shelf - one is 20 cents cheaper, so you usually pick that one. Then, you see an article online. Turns out, that chocolate brand you've been buying from allegedly produces their chocolate in part using unpaid child labor. This is the company that you have been unknowingly supporting. In reality, across industries, allegations like this are unsettlingly common. GreenDex's goal is to tell you what companies do in the shadows so that you can make an informed choice.   GreenDex stores an index of companies and rates them on a scale from A through F based on Environmental, Social, and Government factors. When you shop, we want you to leave with peace of mind.   Our hope for GreenDex is to advocate for a better planet. We want to empower everyone to join us.   Follow us and join our mission as we strive to make the world a better place! https://lnkd.in/e3psqSDW.

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The first Pathways to Careers (PTC) Manufacturing Webinar is TODAY @ 3pm accessible for any and all students in the entire University of Maine System (UMS)! Students who are interested in careers in the manufacturing sector, especially the aerospace/defense/high temperature materials or composites industry should certainly sign up. The host of todays webinar, FMI, a Spirit AeroSystems Co., includes University of Maine Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering alumni. This is the first of hopefully many webinars as part of a series in an effort to increase awareness and interest in the manufacturing sector. Students across all campuses can learn about UMS alumni journeys going from their undergraduate studies to their professional careers, discuss career opportunities, followed by Q&A where students can ask career- and manufacturing-related questions to industry professionals! If you are a student at any University of Maine System campus, reach out to me - [email protected] - to get signed up for today's event and to receive alerts on future events. If you are a manufacturer who employs University of Maine System alumni and are interested in hosting a webinar, I encourage you to reach out to start a discussion.

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Watching the reveal of Boston Dynamic's new robot form factor several months ago, there were two things that stood out: The incredible utility of 360 degree servo motors in humanoid robotics and also how far said motors push Boston's robots into the uncanny valley. OpenAI's new robot on the other hand, appears to have been developed for the purpose of functioning as similarly to a human as possible. The fact that these robots are actually being tested out on factory work brings to mind the question that has been on many of our minds: What does the future hold for the human operators in our factories, and how do humanoid robots tie in? Innovation and problem-solving are still two things we do better than robots, which is why a background in troubleshooting and optimization (like we teach in Bridgerland's Automation department) are essential for being a valued employee, regardless of what the robot frontier looks like. https://lnkd.in/gcBrR2yB

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Really cool article by Joe Lemire on Plantiga - Plantiga is partnered with the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) through the National Basketball Association (NBA) Accelerator program - the goal is simple: to develop a first ever data set on the demands of the game specific to girls and women who play basketball. This is a super unique opportunity to develop insights tailored to girls and women who play basketball to improve performance, create long term development pathways, better knowledge around injury risk reduction and improved on court rehabilitation Plantiga ‘s strength is the ability to integrate load monitoring with mechanical and movement asymmetries on the court. Recently they passed third party validation through rhe NBA, highlighting this is an accurate and extremely valuable technology. Probably the biggest initial application is the ability to quantify rehab and return to sport progression after injuries like ACL rupture that affects a disproportionate number of girls and women Dr.Andrea Hudy from UConn speaks to this problem: Just watch one of the replays of the Final Four from last weekend and you’ll see the number of athletes afflicted by knee injury with sleeves and braces on their knee, or sidelined altogether Now we can better understand load and functional progression after injury on court (on field and on ice too - this works for lots of sports) Our user group is becoming more and more scientifically focused for post injury return to sport monitoring, and this is a key aspect of Joe’s article below. Check it out ⬇️

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Interested in learning more about how the #INMaCNetwork pathways system is helping build the technical education ecosystem in northern #Indiana? Read more in the research study from the Don Wood Foundation and OrthoWorx, Inc.!

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Exciting news! HeadStrait Labs is making headlines! 📰✨ Read more about the impact we’re making in the robotics space in this article: https://lnkd.in/eEU-VKVB HeadStrait Labs is proud to be part of the innovation!

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